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The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) recently named international film star and martial arts expert Jet Li Goodwill Ambassador.

You might not know it, but Jet Li isn’t just some famous face WHO is hoping will help boost their efforts; the guy’s pretty well rounded when it comes to working hands on with folks in need.

For example, after the 2004 South Asian tsunami, Jet Li (who is also a Red Cross Ambassador) set up the Red Cross Society of China Jet Li One Foundation Project (or, just the Jet Li One Foundation, and not to be confused with Bono’s ONE) and also works to “help young people to cope with psychosocial challenges and find a balance in life.”

Given his celebrity (hey, sometimes it’s a lot easier to spread a message when people know who you are) and his philanthropy work, it’s no surprise WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan is glad to have Li on board:

“I am very pleased to appoint Jet Li as a Goodwill Ambassador for WHO [...] Jet Li’s commitment to promoting community involvement and young people’s participation in social and health issues will be a great asset to WHO’s work. He has been personally involved in providing emergency response following natural disasters and has promoted mental health amongst youth. We are grateful that he is willing to use his energy and fame to promote health and well-being.” (www.who.int)

Li’s first order of business as WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador? He’s attending the World Health Day launch in Beijing tomorrow (April 7) to help spread the World Health Day message of making hospitals safe during emergencies.

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 6, 2009)

Global Health Progress » Roundup: World Health Day (February 1, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 6 Apr 2009